Kevin Garnett once suggested a young Rajon Rondo might struggle late in his NBA career: "I don't know what he's going to be like when he's 35"
Early in his NBA career, four-time All-Star Rajon Rondo earned a reputation for toughness. Injuries didn't stop him. While others gladly sat out, the young point guard played through pain, refusing to slow down.
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Naturally, his Boston Celtics teammates respected it, especially Kevin Garnett. But interestingly, the Hall of Famer also warned of the downside after one of the most famous moments when Rondo fought through his injuries.
Like Willis Reed in 1970
Most NBA fans remember Willis Reed's iconic Game 7 entrance in the 1971 Finals. Injured but resolute, the New York Knicks legend sank two early jumpers that didn't just ignite his team's eventual title win — they became the ultimate symbol of grit and resilience.
Decades later, in the 2011 Eastern Conference semifinals, Rondo created his own "Reed Moment". During Game 3 against the Miami Heat, a harsh collision with opposing guard Dwyane Wade had left the former Kentucky Wildcat with a hyperextended, dislocated elbow.
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The gruesome injury sent shockwaves through TD Garden. Among those who feared the worst was then-Celtics head coach Doc Rivers, who was stunned by what he saw next.
"I was in the huddle and saw Rondo walk by me," the 2000 COY recounted. "And it looked like he was going to play."
After his elbow was reset, Johnny did just that. Essentially competing with one arm, the playmaker finished with six points and 11 assists — a fearless effort that helped secure a 97-81 win over the Heatles.
Related: Michael Jordan shows off his $115 million luxurious superyacht in Croatia
Late-career struggles
Statistically and performance-wise, it wasn't one of Playoff Rondo's best performances, but his emotional impact was priceless, as The Big Ticket noted.
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The legendary forward, who dropped 28 points and snagged 18 rebounds that night, was stunned by his teammates' return and recognized its significance.
"All of us sort of looked at each other like, 'What is he doing out here? Is he being smart right now?", the 2004 MVP recalled, noting how that mindset inspired the whole team.
"He's (Rondo) showing a lot of heart, a lot of grit. We see it. That doesn't go unspoken or unseen. We see he's out there giving his full effort. We're following that lead," KG emphasized.
This wasn't Rajon's first or last time playing through injuries. Despite the typical point guard grind, the former 21st pick rarely missed games in his first four NBA seasons.
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"I'm not going to go through the list of injuries that you all are unaware of; I'm not going to put him out there like that, but I've seen him play through some horrific injuries," Garnett said.
However, The Big Ticket also acknowledged that persistence often comes at a cost. Pushing through without proper rest risks worsening and recurring injuries, which can ultimately shorten a career.
"I don't know what he's (Rondo) going to be like when he's 35," KG admitted.
Ultimately, that's the crux. While aging players naturally see less court time, Rondo's late-career decline was still far from ordinary.
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In his final four campaigns, the two-time NBA champion played only about half of the possible regular-season games, and his performance was nowhere near his prime level.
Having his last stint at age 35 with the 2021–22 Cleveland Cavaliers, Rondo ultimately retired in April 2024.
Related: Baron Davis recalls getting manhandled by John Stockton in his rookie year: "All them little tricks, he knew how to do all of that stuff"
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
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